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Often referred to as the “Mesopotamia” of Russian civilization, the Golden Ring is the name long-ago given to the circle of ancient towns and villages that circle Moscow. Most are older than even Moscow itself and all are extremely well-preserved, offering visitors a glimpse into a world long lost in larger Russian towns. We like to focus on Suzdal, the best-preserved and most historic village of all, making it the base for exploration for two nights. Suzdal is the “Colonial Williamsburg” of Russia, where wooden homes in the town center are still decorated in traditional Russian style- brightly painted and intricately carved roofs, window boxes filled with flowers and horse and carriages plying the street and pathways through town.
Starting off into the Golden Ring, we recommend a stop in the ancient fairy tale town of Rostov. With its classic Russian kremlin (fortress), abundant gold domes and silver spires, Rostov’s beauty dazzles its visitors. Yaroslavl is famous for its ornate frescoes and ornamentation- once there, you will quickly understand why some call this town the “Florence of Russia.” Yaroslavl is more of a city than a village, and, in the 17th century, was once the second largest city of Russia, after Moscow. Don’t miss a visit to the Spassky Monastery, dating from the 12th century.
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